“Are you here with Juan Carlos Rojas’s men to destroy our ancestral home?” asked the man wearing the feathered crown.

“On the contrary,” said Mom. “We are here to do everything we can to put a stop to this deforestation and to Señor Rojas’s plans.”

The man smiled. “Then you are most welcome. Please. Come journey with us to our village for food and rest.”

“Chya,” said Tommy, smiling at the very pretty teenage girl traveling with the group. “I could totally use some rest and relaxation. So, what do they call you, besides beautiful?”

Chet stepped up beside Tommy. “I think they also call her gorgeous.”

Tommy looked at Chet. “Whoa. Ease up, dude.”

“Sorry, Tommy. No can do. Besides, you’re out of your league, kid.”

“Watch it, Collier!”

The girl laughed. “My name is Q’orianka,” she said with a soft smile. “It means ‘golden eagle’ in Quechua.”

“Well, hello, Golden Eagle,” said Chet, twisting his ruby class ring, I guess because he thought it made him look suave and sophisticated. “You’re definitely one pretty birdie.”

Q’orianka rolled her eyes. She was already over Chet. Tommy saw his opening!

“Um, I’m Tommy. It’s short for Thomas. Like the train.”

“Actually,” said Storm, “Thomas is derived from a Greek word for ‘twin,’ which he isn’t.”

“But we are,” I said, gesturing to Beck. “I’m Bick. This is my twin sister, Beck.”

“That’s our mom and dad,” said Beck. “We’re the Kidds.”

“Chet isn’t one of us,” I explained.

“He’s a Collier,” said Tommy. This time he almost gagged on the K sound.

“You are all welcome in our village,” said the man in the ceremonial headdress. “I am the village president, Chaupi. Come. We will send others to tend to your vehicles.”

“Will they be safe here?” asked Dad.

Chaupi shook his head. “This is the jungle, my new friend. Nothing and no one is ever safe.”